Groepsportret van (vermoedelijk) een studentengenootschap tijdens een diner c. 1895 - 1910

Nicolaas Schuitvlot made this photograph, depicting what is thought to be a student society during a dinner, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. It is a monochromatic work, with tonal variations that pull us into the space. I'm intrigued by the surface quality, its subtle gradations of light and shadow. Look at the way the light catches the white tablecloth, almost vibrating with energy. And then there's the dark wood panelling in the background, providing a grounding presence to the scene. The blurry quality of the photograph, together with its small dimensions, give it an intimate feel. I notice a figure on the left, doubled over with laughter, and this is what anchors the scene for me. The joy that photography can capture, the human presence, makes this piece feel contemporary. Perhaps Schuitvlot was looking at painters like Manet, who captured the intimacy of modern life. We can never truly know, but it's the questions that make art so compelling, don’t you think?